Scientists estimate the Milky Way galaxy contains roughly 400 billion stars bound together by gravity. Above the glow of the mountains, the barred spiral galaxy appears as a faint band in the sky. In the image, car headlights can be seen on a winding road in the valley. Lights from nearby cities also reflect within southern horizon clouds.

Editor's note: If you have an amazing night sky photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, send photos, comments and your name and location to managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com.

Dust off your spiral arms and fatten up your bulge — it's time to tap into your inner galaxy to test your smarts about the Milky Way. Our home in space is a strange and wondrous place that scientists are still trying to figure out. See what you know!

Dust off your spiral arms and fatten up your bulge — it's time to tap into your inner galaxy to test your smarts about the Milky Way. Our home in space is a strange and wondrous place that scientists are still trying to figure out. See what you know!